We had a show at the Chevalier and wanted to have an early, pre-Valentine's day dinner before the show. We are not that far from Medford and it took over 45 minutes to get there (traffic was crazy!) and we were running late. I called and they were super nice and said they could hold the table for 10 minutes (we were running 5 minutes behind our reservation) and not to stress out. When we got there, they were hopping! I am sure they get a lot of pre-show people because before I could even say we had to be out of there by 7, she asked if we were going to the show and assured us we would be out way before then. My hubby and decided to go the tapas route (which is basically the majority of their menu) and it was AWESOME! We started with the Queso Fundido. I am not a chirozo fan but the hubby is so I thought I would give it a try. It worked very well with the cheese and did not over power it. We moved on to the Cheviche Amarillo, Plantano Macho stuffed with beef, and Pollo Mole. All were perfect and just the right amount of food. I think my favorite was the Cheviche which was a white fish with sweet potato. The "sauce" was a citrusy topping and so light - did not detract from other flavors. Really all three were delicious. We also tried the flan because it looked so good coming out. Fair warning that I am not a flan person but it looked so yummy. Again, it was better than I have had but still not a fan - hubby on the other had devoured it with pleasure. It is a great location as well, and the space was very cheery, clean and despite being super busy we were not on top of each other - super worth the trip! read more

We were brought in by the surplus of good reviews online. First impressions, interior is lovely--you feel like you're outside in this whimsical garden. Waitstaff is very kind as well. I got the margarita de la casa with salt, it was your classic margarita, but I liked it. Smaller size. For food, we started with the tamal with pork mole, which was really tasty, and fresh. Only one per order though, at $12 a piece. The size wasn't huge either. I then ordered the arroz del mar. It was creamy rice mixed with calamari, shrimp, and octopus. I was expecting more of a cream sauce but it was more like a watery broth, with a kick. It was spicy but tolerable. I liked the flavors but it didn't hit my craving. My boyfriend got the pollo con mole which he liked but I don't think he was crazy about it. I was still hungry so we ordered the plantano macho with beef. This stuffed plantain was good, I liked the cheese on it. But again, small size.. I will say I didn't know it was tapas style until we overheard the waitress tell another table. It makes sense in hindsight but we were quite hungry and this might have deterred us from coming. Portions were small even for tapas style. I saw a group and I'm not sure how they managed without ordering a surplus of food. I overheard them order at least 7 tacos...one per order... Strong flavors and fresh ingredients, I would say that. I think this is an elevated experience for food and it was a pleasant experience, but I wouldn't rush back because I don't think the portions were worth it even for tapas style. read more

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Well we did get to return a few days later. Everything about this place is GREAT! They even remembered us and made us feel very welcome. This is a MUST GO TO RESTAURANT. Thank you! read more

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We've been to El Tacuba twice now. Each time it was because we were in town for a concert at the nearby--walking distance--Chevalier Theatre (both times to see Toad the Wet Sprocket). And there's a reason we came back a second time. THE FOOD (and more) IS AWESOME! Essentially, it's a Mexican inspired Tapas place. We loved (again) everything about it. Our food was amazing. The decor is cool. And the service is top notch. Across both visits, we thoroughly enjoyed every dish--and we intentionally order different small plates on our second visit. Whenever we are in town for a show, we are going to have a VERY hard time not coming here (sorry other establishments). read more

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My friends had been here before and were excited to take me here. They mentioned it get busy quickly so they made sure to make reservations in advance. Arriving on a Saturday night, it was definitely the right call. Food is served tapas style so we got their Elote Callejero, Ensalada de betabel, Arroz Del Mar, Pescado a la Veracruzana, Estofado de res, and Pulpo Jaqueton. All the dishes were delicious and well seasoned. We really enjoyed the freshness of the salad was their salty dishes. The rice was wonderful as well as the fish served in the rich sauce. My only gripe was the octopus was slightly slimy in some parts but still fully cooked otherwise. Dessert was their thick and sweet flan which we thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, beautiful place with great food. Our waitress was very friendly and professional. Looking forward to the opportunity to come again! read more

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Food was amazing... My daughter and I went for the first time this past Saturday night.... Christian our server was personable, engaging, made our dinning experience amazing.... My daughter got the Empanada- came with one, Plaintains came with one, I got the street corn and it was good and I also got a dish with shrimp, calamari, rice and cilantro... was spicy but delicious... We also go Flan for dessert. . We also had drinks... We will definitly be back... a hidden gem added to Medford Square... much needed in the square. read more

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I dont like talking badly but this restaurant served very small portions half the size of my hand.Yea the service was nice and they were sweet but they took an hour with our tiny quesadillas. read more

El Tacuba is a great place to grab Mexican food in Medford. The interior is really fun and has cute decor which makes for great photo opportunities. It was not super busy during lunch and we got served very quickly. We ordered the chips and guacamole, the arroz verde, and suadero tacos and everything was delicious! The shrimp was perfectly crispy in the arroz verde and was definitely the star of the meal. The only comment would be that the tacos were a bit pricy for the small size and portion. Overall everything was pretty good and it's definitely worth checking out! read more

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Was staying at the nearby Hyatt and had already researched there was a Mexican restaurant close-by. The first impression was "wow fancy", we first drove by and the place was packed on a Friday night. After a day of sightseeing, we tried again on Sunday night. It was active, but not packed, I was surprised it was more of a Mexican Tapas restaurant (small plates). WOW was I plesantly surprised !!! ALL the plates we orderd were DELICIOUS !! We had queso fundido, camarones al mojo de ajo, taco de pollo asado, platano beef, tostada carne asada, ALL I would recommend. The server was very friendly and Margaritas just right. Not super expensive, we averaged out to $50 a person. Go you will enjoy !! read more

Came here for brunch the other day & it was really good! I didn't see too many reviews or pics of this place/the food, so I thought I'd chime in. First, the interior design is stunning. The workers were very nice. The food was so tasty although I only tried a couple things. I got the regular sopesitos and chilaquiles, both were good and very filling! I loved the flavor of the sauces. My friend got the birria tacos and stuffed plantain. I tried the plantain and it was delish too. I deff want to come back for dinner & give an updated review! read more

El Tacuba - Chilaquiles, sopesitos, birria tacos, stuffed plantain - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

This was our second time at El Tabuca and my takeaways are: 1. the drinks are creative and well crafted. 2. This is a great place for tacos and apps. What we ate: - Guacamole: Great, would get again. - Ceviche de Pescado: Pass, this dish is missing some extra ingredients or at least a chip to eat it with. - Arroz Del Mar: Pass, didn't like this as much the second time around. It's a creamy dish and thats not my preference. - Atun Tostada: Pass, the fried onions overpower this tostada but still good. - Pescado Taco: Fantastic - Suadero Taco: Fantastic We will continue to try more items on the menu, but feel the drinks, tacos and apps are the best options. read more

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First time here and what a great find! I found this place looking for a spot to eat before seeing a concert. I'm not from around here so went purely based on Yelp recs. Our server, Paulina, was exceptional. Super knowledgeable and friendly. She did not lead us wrong! The food was delicious. A highlight was the garlic shrimp. So good. The shrimp and fish tacos were delish. Drinks were great. All around fantastic experience. Will definitely recommend and come again next time we are out this way. Great tequila too!! read more

We were in Medford for a concert at the nearby Chevalier Theater, so we had a late lunch at El Tacuba. What a treat! The staff was really friendly and made us feel very welcome. They answered our menu questions and made sure we got enough service without hovering. The decor is really cool inside. It's very bright and airy; I especially liked the tile and neon. Reminded us of a churr place in Mexico City. The food was excellent! The tacos were really tasty. We had a number of them and all were delicious. We also noshed on Sopes and Queso Fundido. Really terrific. What a fantastic find! read more

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Came here at the whim of my boyfriends barber and wow they did not disappoint!! All the tacos are superb, I did the Arrachera and Suadero tacos and the flavors were so complex and delicious. The drinks were wonderful as well. Easy to find bar seating on a Saturday night and the bartenders were easy going and made great recommendations. This is definitely the best place I've been to in the area! read more

El Tacuba - Carajillo - the Mexican espresso martini but better - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

First time at El Tacuba. Love the vibe and the food! Dishes are small, and reasonably priced so have at it and try everything! Every dish I had was delicious, including the dessert flan! Will be back! read more

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Lovely and large space with a beautiful bar and several different eating areas. Workers were also greening up patio are by sidewalk with many plants. We both tried two plates each. He loved the enchilada suiza and I really enjoyed the short rib taco and tuna ceviche. Fantastic cocktails. Next time I go maybe I will sit at bar and try a special tequila. Fun soundtrack playing! Very nice upbeat vibe. read more

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I went for brunch and the egg dish was outstanding. Next time I'll go for dinner as the fish dishes look appealing. The service was very good at the bar. The atmosphere is pleasant and modern. read more

Came to El Tacuba to watch the Army Navy Game. Despite the outcome of the game the food here is delicious. It's a bit on the small side for portions related to cost but it's good! Service was solid but we were also the only ones in the place during that time. The ambiance of the restaurant is updated and clean which is nice! Would return again. read more

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I've come here twice with friends and have quite enjoyed the margaritas and their food. The plates are small which makes it a fun tapas style meal. This place can get busy so highly recommend making a reservation, especially at the vibe is trendy and modern so it's a great place for drinks. I've also found the staff to be friendly and accommodating, especially given the busy atmosphere and tables frequently ordering more items. read more

We have been waiting to try El Tacuba for such a long time. As Medford residents can remember, it took a super long time to open but the interior was worth the wait. If I were reviewing on atmosphere alone, I would definitely be giving 5 stars. Our server was fantastic, the food however not so much. Don't get me wrong, it was good! The best thing we got was the chips and guacamole (free). We ordered the queso with chorizo. It was extremely oily, and it had it not been for the saltiness of the chorizo it would've lacked flavor all together. I ordered shrimp tacos when I was told it came on the corn tortilla I asked to have it switched to a tostada. The corn tortilla's were not enjoyable at all. The entree was good and great size if you enjoy tapas. The non alcoholic margarita was delicious and it was nice to try flan for the first time. Awesome choice if you like super sweet desserts. read more

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My sister and I came here for the first time tonight and it was amazing! We sat at the bar and started with the guac and chips. We ordered the classic margarita and a paloma. We had a few tacos to share, the pescado, costilla, de la casa and the camaron - all were so flavorful. Definitely a little messy so having the chips to pick up what fell out of the taco was perfect. We ordered another round of drinks and the enchiladas, beet salad and stuffed plantains to share (the suizas, en salads betabael and the platano macho). We finished off the night with the espresso martini (repo-spresso), which were delicious. Emy was our main bartender for the night and was so friendly and knowledgeable. We cannot wait to come back to try the flan!!! We were too stuffed to try this time haha read more

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The menu reads nicely, the service was speedy & attentive. The decor of the place is fun and vibrant. We ordered a bunch of stuff to share. The items from the specials menu were excellent - particularly the octopus ceviche. The items we got from the regular menu were just okay. The scallops were undercooked - which is *fine*, certainly edible. The sauce was very good. And $7 for one taco is ridiculous. This is where I take it from a 4 to a 3 star. We got the De La Casa and while the flavor was fine, it was texturally one-note. It ate very 'soggy'. Had they crisped up the bacon, it would've made a bigger impact. So, I can't justify ordering tacos here at this price point. They're simply not good enough. That said - the drinks were great and they have a nice outdoor patio. If I'm in Medford, it's a place I'd swing by for a drink and apps. And for that - I'd recommend it. But if you're looking for a nice Mexican dining experience, there's better options out there (granted, few in Greater Boston). read more

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It's wonderful to come into a restaurant and notice the classy nuevo décor, the smiling faces of Nelle and Estephanie and the readiness to provide great service by the brothers in charge Alvaro and Alejandro. But at El Tacuba we also experienced the best Mexican menu we've ever had. We started with chips and guacamole washed down by margaritas made by our friendly bartender named Emiliano who knows his tequila. From the tacos menu we enjoyed a fish, a shrimp and a pork taco, which were all so scrum shish, so we had to order more. Next we had a beef empanada, a Ceviche Costeno and a tuna tostada followed by the Veracruzana sea bass and the chicken enchiladas named Suizas. We couldn't find a dish we didn't like. These dishes were rich in flavor, and perfectly executed leaving the palate wanting more. It was Great! RicO read more

I can't wait to become a regular here. This is all I had wanted in a local tequila bar and upscale Mexican concept. The finish of the bar and restaurant are very nice (a bit loud, but I think it was the party near the windows making it that way) and the bartenders could NOT have been nicer or more helpful. We wanted to try only a couple things and then I felt like I should try more, ended up with a garlic/spicy shrimp sautee that was very good and echoed many orders of garlic shrimp I've had at Spanish tapas bars. My favorite thing was the tamale I ordered and did not want to share! next time I will get my own! and loved all the tacos I tried as well. read more

First time. Enjoyed the food. Had the tacos amd guac. really tasty. want to go back and try other stuff. Really nice space.

The food, staff and atmosphere is excellent with traditional Mexican Venezuelan food. The guacamole and steak tacos were delicious, the drinks delightful. The portion sizes are small, one taco is six dollars but you're paying for the atmosphere, hoping the serving sizes change to be more in line with the prices and they establish a reservation system. Most of the food is gluten free, a huge plus and a signature sign of authenticity. Great place for a tasty meal and a drink. read more

El Tacuba - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

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This is one of my favorite restaurants of the year. Every single dish had me so happy and had me melting with happiness. This restaurant is a bit far from Boston, in Medford, but it is so worth it! First off, the ambiance is ridiculously beautiful. There are so many different areas where you can enjoy your meal. We sat in the main area with beautiful natural lighting. The service was also amazing and super attentive and made great recommendations! If you drive here, there's plenty of street parking as well. For food, we started off with Breakfast Sopesitos, Breakfast Huevos Tacuba, and the Costilla taco (short rib) and Suadero (beef brisket) taco. All fantastic. The sopesitos were so cute and the corn dough was crispy and soft, perfect breakfast combination and I loved the sauce. Huevos Tacuba was so creative and bursting with flavor from the coated cheese to the chorizo to the soaked tortilla strips. I am also obsessed with the beans. I finished every last bean. I would die for the short rib taco. It melted in my mouth and I was so sad to finish it. Beef brisket taco was also ridiculous. It was not as tender as the short rib but still delicious! We then moved onto the seafood dishes: Ceviche de Atún (rare tuna), Pulpo Jaquetón (octopus in adobo sauce), and Atún Tostada. The ceviche was mouth-watering. The fish in the lime, cilantro, and ginger sauce had me savoring every bite. The Pulpo was so tender and the char combined with the adobo created a great balance in flavor. Some parts were a bit overcooked/tough but otherwise delicious. The tostada was covered with fried shallots which added great texture but a bit too much that it was hard to eat. Tuna was seared beautifully though. The drinks were also so creative and deliberate here. One drink that stood out was the Repo-spresso, their take on an espresso martini. It comes with cinnamon cream and mole bitters and the cinnamon just made the drink so much more interesting and balanced perfectly. As you can tell, we loved our meal so much. I will 10000% be back- just a matter of when. read more

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Always enjoy my meal here! Tacos are delicious and margarita is tasty. Whether you sit at the bar or at a table, this new restaurant will delight. read more

My group of friends came out to celebrate a birthday at El Tacuba. The restaurant was very nice and it had a really fun and upscale vibe to it. I liked the decoration and the service was great. The drinks were really good. I had el Chingon which was a drink with mezcal and guava. It was sweet and Smokey and my favorite drink of the night. I also had a Mangarindo which had mezcal and a tamarind stick. This drink was a conversation starter as it prompted a couple of people in tables adjacent to us ask us what it was. However, while it is a fun drink, it was not as good as El Chingon. For tapas, we had the guacamole and chips (beware it's mostly chips), the queso fundido with chorizo, the camarones al mojo de ajo, ceviche, platano macho and assorted tostadas. For dessert we had the flan. The food was all delicious, however the portions were very small. My favorite dishes were the camarones al mojo de ajo. They were tender and flavorful. The stuffed plantains were fun and innovative, I've never had them like this before. The queso was so gooey and delicious. The flan missed the mark a little bit. Overall, this was a great experience. I'd love to come back to try other things, except that I'd probably have a snack beforehand or be ready to splash the cash for an infinite amount of little tapas. read more

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Ambiance and service was great. Tacos could use a bit more creativity to match the other menu items.

The most amazing new bar/restaurant in Medford Square. 1. Very nice tequila collection 2. Great cocktails (El Classico and El Diavolo got me) 3. Fantastic tapas (details to follow) 4. Kind, friendly, efficient service 5. Wonderful owner/host Tenoch's Alvaro Tonight's food choices were in order of awesomeness: 1. Callo de Hacha 2. Camarones al mojo de ajo 3. Jaiba 4. Sopesitos 5. Psecado a la Veracruzana More expensive than your cantina, but worth it considering the pleasant atmosphere. read more

It may be the best place to dine for the pre-show at the Chevalier theatre - unfortunately La Tacuba, like the theatre, does not offer much above and beyond that one can get at other Mexican restaurants - in fact probably less in quantity. But what they do, they do well. It's a bit overpriced (or should I say overvalued) but the quality and service are good. The place is pretty and that gives it 3 1/2 stars - perhaps sitting at the bar next time and that will edge the rating to a 4. read more

Our waiter Arturo was wonderful. We are vegetarian and he pointed all of the fabulous,flavorful, different and unique options. The coffee flan was the best flan I have ever had and worth going back for just for dessert. Overall an outstanding experience and I will definitely be back soon. read more

Fantastic food. Everything was fresh and we enjoyed every bit of it. The weekly specials were great too. The atmosphere feels very lively and the whole place has a newer feel. Service was quick and prompt too. I have no doubt this will be a regular stop for us. read more

Value 0/10 overpriced and tiny portions Margarita 0/10 watered down and terrible Guacamole 3/10 flavor was ok, portion was tiny for what it costs. Queso Fondudo 0/10 greasy and congealed. Juts tased like melted cheese Tacos 6/10 flavor and consistency were good, but they came out barely warm and the toppings were confusing. The fried fish had lost all texture by the time we ate it. Our server seemed confused about the menu and barely came to check on us and seeing we needed anything. We had to ask the food runner to get her so we could ask for things read more

Yes it's a bit pricey but life goes on. The food....OMG. I had the Taco Costilla, the Taco Suadero and the Suizas. Sunday night, very good energy, outstanding service. read more

El Tacuba - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

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Great Food, Subpar Service Came here on a Saturday night around 7pm and it was on and jumping. The place was packed and we were told a 40 min wait. We decided to wait and just get a drink at the bar. It took us about 20 mins to get a Modelo at the bar. After about 30 mins, we got seated and the restaurant cleared out and quieted down (about 1/2 the tables were open by 7:45pm). Once seated, it took about 7-10 mins for someone to even notice us. The server that noticed that we hadn't been attended to called our server who seemingly ignored her and still didn't come over to our table. Another 5-7 mins went by and the manager (maybe owner) noticed we had been served yet and he grabbed our server who was just chatting with the hostess. We put in our drink order and an appetizer, which took a while to come out (8-10mins). It took so long for us to flag down our server to put in our dinner order. She seemed very frantic and a little ditsy, chatting with the bartenders and hosts and blatantly ignoring her tables. We planned to order some food and then add more later if we were hungry, but realized quickly our server was not going to be coming back for a while. The food was very good with a nice variety of meats and items. Only complaint is that the portions are small for the price (compared to Bar Taco, Lolita, Yellow Door). 1. The Classico (4/5) - Basic but the passionfruit flavor didn't taste too artificial 2. Mangorindo (5/5) - Sweet, Salty, Spicy. Pretty and Yummy 3. Sopesitos (3.5/5)- The topping were tasty but the corn dough was thick and dry 4. Tacos: -Cochinito (3/5) The meat was pretty dry and lacked flavor -De la Casa (5/5) Very good! Salty and fatty -Suadero (3/5) the meat was dry but had good flavor -Camaron (4/5) shrimp were well seasoned and not overcooked but you only get two medium shrimp for a $7 taco 5. Tostadas: -Camaron (5/5) really fresh and delicious -Carne (4/5) would recommend for picky eaters -Jaiba (5/5) The BEST thing we had all night. Fresh crabmeat, well seasoned and not at all fishy read more

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Great service, fresh food well-prepared with nice portions. The atmosphere is upbeat and busy with close tables lending warmth.

Came here for a pre comedy show dinner. House was packed but service was perfect and food was incredible!!!! Sorry I ate it. No food pics. Drinks were awesome too and cheaper than what we find in NH! Loved it all. Highly recommend. read more

The food got nothing but good feedback from my friends. They thought it was very fresh and tasty. Also, we partially took them there bc/ they're Medford locals- and they thought it was a unique addition to Medford. The high ceilings, tapas style eating, and visually pleasing drinks make it a cool place for going out to with friends. I'd say it's a bit on the pricey side, but maybe you're paying for the ambiance too. The mezcal drinks were popular among my friends, and the ceviche stuffed sweet plantains and garlic shrimp were the biggest hits in terms of food. I would have appreciated slightly bigger portions, but they're just starting out so I'm sure they're still figuring things out. read more

El Tacuba - Classico Margarita, Chingon in the back - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts